Stag Hunt
Original title: Stag Hunt
kurzbeschreibung
A large-format tapestry from the mid-16th century, attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder, presents a courtly hunt. Woven from wool and silk, the piece brings together riders, hounds, and a slain stag against a forest setting. Spanning over 252 inches, its horizontal layout makes it one of the significant testimonies of Renaissance pictorial weaving.
Description
Broad forest grounds carry a group of riders wielding lances and swords. In the foreground a stag has fallen; hunting dogs surround it while some riders have dismounted. Among the trees, further figures stand and watch the event. The horizontal arrangement is deliberately chosen so that the course of the hunt can unfold as a continuous narrative. Colour values cannot be read in the black-and-white image, yet the placement of the figures feels precisely set and thoughtfully crafted.
Context
Its creation falls in the mid-16th century, when hunting motifs were in demand for courtly wall hangings. Lucas Cranach the Elder stood out as a painter and designer of such pictorial tapestries, while execution was often undertaken by workshops. The size of the piece suggests a representative aristocratic patron. Such hunting tapestries did not merely adorn rooms; they also served to display status and mastery over nature.
Impact
The elongated shape and richness of detail give the tapestry a monumental presence that draws the viewer into the action. Even without discernible colour, the riders and hounds emanate dynamic movement. Courtly elegance and naturalistic description interpenetrate, giving the work an appeal that reaches beyond its time.
Technique
The tapestry is woven in pictorial tapestry technique from wool and silk, with 13 to 15 warps per inch. This method allowed fine details and an accurate rendering of figures and forest. The horizontal orientation and large dimensions demanded elaborate weaving on a specially set-up loom.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)